DETERIORATION OF LAND

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 10

DETERIORATION OF LAND

FARMERS' ATTITUDE TO COMMITTEE

NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

(PBF.SS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WELLINGTON, September 16

Asked to-day to comment oh the action of the Government in setting up : a committee to inquire into deterioration and erosion problems, Mr A. P. O'Shea, Dominion secretary 01 the New' Zealand Farmers' Union, said that this move would be welcomed by the farming community. He considered, however, that the committee would be very much strengthened by the inclusion of two practical farmers, who had had experience of grazing problems,; particularly on North Island country. The Government should see that the committee was given full power to report publicly on the position as it saw it. . •Mr O'Shea stated that he had just returned from a visit to. an area in the. North Jsland where the question of the deterioration of the country wjSs becoming a burning one. Danthonia and ratstail were gradually ereepmg in to large areas, as was manuka and gorse, mainly because the farmers had not the money to deal with this land, and if they Jiad it, it was not profitable to do so at present. It was ironical that large sums ol money were being spent on improving the access into this country. The money being spent on public works would be much better expended on the lands they served. Another matter requiring urgent attention was the graduated land tax. Land tax was killing this country. New Zealand must realise that if the production of sheep industry were to be kept up the land tax must go.